Chapter 167: A Deal

The two guides led them into the dense forest, where a clear cobbled path ran down the center, flanked by trees on both sides.

Celine marveled at the forest, the trees grew in a straight pattern as if they had been planted on purpose in that order. She glanced over at Tristan whose face was expressionless, he neither looked at her nor said anything to her along the way, and she also silently followed by his side.

After walking for a while, they came to what seemed like a dead end – a thick tangle of overgrown weeds hanging from the trees, blocking their path.

Celine looked on curiously as the messengers didn’t seem to be stopping nor making a detour but straight up approaching the large cluster of overgrown weeds.

To her surprise, the men pushed aside the cluster of weeds like a large curtain, what first fell into her sight behind the cluster of weeds was the vast endless seas beyond, their waves making a swishing sound with the blowing wind as water washed over to the shore and withdrew itself again.

Celine’s jaw almost dropped as they entered the main part of the Rowena islands old dwellings behind the cluster of weeds that seemed to act as a gate to the main place.

The whole place was bright and colorful, with clear views of the skies and the seas unlike main cities where tall buildings blocked the beautiful sight.

Beautiful, cottage-style houses with a modern twist were built over the sea on the eastern side of the settlement. The houses were arranged in clusters, connected by wooden bridges that allowed people to walk over the water to reach the other houses.

The whole place looked like a little village but with a slightly modern twist, their living ways didn’t look too primitive, but it wasn’t as advanced as it was in most cities, one could say that, the inhabitants of the Rowena islands old dwellings chose a more subtle, natural lifestyle while still using modern tactics.

Celine couldn’t keep her eyes off roaming around, a few young kids were playing happily by the ocean, chasing the waves as it came forward and drew back, Celine smiled upon seeing them recalling her own children, she was sure Leo and Leah would have fun being at a place like this.

They followed the messengers through the sands of the beach towards the western part of the dwellings, they finally arrived at what seemed to be the biggest building around the dwellings, that looked like a palace from ancient Greece.

The large palace like home sitting right at the edges of the beach with the waves of the sea hitting it’s hard walls. Outside the house was a large figurine of the same woman in the resort they had stayed, the one who was said to be Rowena, an ancient goddess the island dwellers revered.

“This way please, the chief is waiting for you inside.” A beautiful looking woman said smiling at them at the entrance after the messenger had reported something to her in hushed tones.

Celine and Tristan followed her inside as she led them, they walked through a long hallway, Celine’s eyes roaming over the deep engravings on the walls and the beautiful but weird shapes of the pillars, she really felt like she was taking a stroll in some museum or some preserved palace from the ancient times.

They finally arrived at a spacious parlour, the interior decorated in an old majestic theme with a modern twist as all the furnishings incorporated into the space gave the place a nice balance of a kind of historical sophistication.

Inside the parlor, a man was casually seated on a couch by the large glass windows that brought in boundless natural lights into the room. The woman lightly marched towards him and whispered something into his ears finally getting his attention away from his book, he glanced up at them, seeing them both standing before him a wide grin surfaced on his face.

“Welcome, you must be Mr and Mrs Grayson?” The slightly middle aged man who seemed to be the islands chief got up from his seat keeping his book and approached them with a welcoming grin.

“Hello, I’m Tristan Grayson.” Tristan shook the man’s hands firmly.

“Hello Tristan, it’s pleasant to finally meet the CEO of the said Grayson Corp. I’m Richard Reyes, the thirteenth in the chieftaincy of Rowena islands, welcome to the old dwellings once again.” He greeted courteously then turned to Celine, “And this must be Mrs Grayson.”

“Hello, Celine… I’m Celine Grayson.” She quickly corrected herself before she said her own real name recalling she had to pose as Tristan’s wife.

“I must say, Mrs Grayson is a very beautiful woman, how lucky of you Mr Grayson.” Richard commented still beaming welcomingly.

“You can just call me Tristan, Mr Reyes.”

“Hahaha, since we’re forgoing courtesy, just calling me Richard will do, please have a seat.”

Tristan took his seat on a couch opposite Richard, and Celine as his acting wife had to sit closely beside him.

“I apologize for any inconveniences you might have been put through because of our rules, as you can see we are a very traditional people, our rules and customs mean everything to us, due to our history, for centuries as the world continued to pass by, we have not forgotten or let go of our ancient traditions set down by our ancestors, a lot of our children have gone out into the modern world in search of something new while others chose to stay, anyway, I hope you didn’t take offense to our rules.”

“Not at all, Richard.” Tristan said.

Celine knew he was being courteous because of the deal, internally, he was probably annoyed because he had to put up a facade of marriage in order to get the deal. But then she knew he was aware of the fact that he had absolutely no choice in this case, Grayson Corp have been working painstakingly on this project, if they were to suddenly lose it now, it would be a huge loss to them.

“I’m glad you’re not offended by it, because…” Richard began but paused gazing at both of them one after the other before adding, “…there are a few more rules to come.”

Celine and Tristan exchanged a look, both hoping it wasn’t something that would cause them to almost lose the deal again this time.

“Please go ahead Mr Reyes, we would like to know what the rules are,” Celine urged as it seemed the man was hesitating.

“I’m sure you’re aware of how fast our island is getting attention, to be honest you’re not the only company seeking for land acquisition here, however, we can only do what our culture permits,”

Richard said with a sigh then continued, “Fortunately, we are blessed with the beauty of nature, something that is rarely found in the modern world outside, that is why our islands are fast gaining attention from people who want to escape the bustling life, anyway, the reason I insisted the people to be allowed into the old dwellings can only be a married pair is because of these same rules,

“Our Rowena was a woman of virtue, who believed deeply in love, which is why till this day our people also have strong beliefs in love, an ancient rule had been established, we have a strong animosity towards strangers, however, our great belief in love have helped us be able to work more with strangers, the world is fast changing, people are getting more devious at heart polluted by the immense desires of the world, which is why we would rather work with a couple, not just any couple but a married one, who believe in true love and the selfless beauty of it, because we believe that only these kinds of people will truly have a pure and truthful heart, for love and marriage is in itself the most selfless act, dedicating one’s life to another, how beautiful is that?”

Richard sighed again this time with emotion then added, “You might not understand this, but it is a sentimental aspect for us.”

Hearing his words, Celine was beginning to feel guilty for actually lying to them about the fact that she and Tristan were married, their culture was something beautiful that was really lacking in the bustling outside world, a small city of people living humbly even with all the rich benefits their islands could possibly bring for them, they chose to hold on to their beliefs, and the way they held a priority to true love and sincerity truly touched her.

“We understand Mr Richard, your culture is truly beautiful, and if we can be able to get a chance to work with you, we’ll be truly honored and appreciative.” Celine said honestly. She felt Tristan’s gaze on her and she turned slightly to look at him, he averted his eyes from her the moment their eyes met.

Richard smiled at her words, “I’m glad you think of it that way, I am sure you and your husband must truly love each other as well.”

At his words Celine glanced at Tristan’s profile who was still silent, she lowered her head not saying anything.

“Mr Richard, we are ready to abide by all your rules to get this deal.” Tristan said straightforwardly avoiding the man’s earlier words.

“Very well then,” Mr Richard nodded,

“For strangers who want to work with us, they are usually required to spend a few days on the island, precisely within the old dwellings, during that time you’re required to live amongst our people to fully understand our culture and during that amount of time, Rowena will determine if you are worthy to work with us or not, after that, we can then carry on with the deal.”

“Uhm… Mr Richard, how will it be determined by Rowena if we’re worthy or not?” Celine asked awkwardly, according to logic, their Rowena must have been dead centuries ago, so how was she supposed to be the one to determine if they were worthy or not.

“Ah, about that, you will come to know with time, so what do you say, do you agree to this, you’re free to opt out now.” He asked.

Celine exchanged a glance with Tristan, she knew he didn’t believe in whatever kind of culture they had, his main goal was the deal and the land acquisition, so she could predict that he would agree to this.

“Yes Mr Richard, we are willing to go through with your terms,” With the way he spoke, Celine knew he took this in a professional way, for him this was nothing but business.

Celine however felt a bit of guilt, she wasn’t sure if what they were doing was disrespectful to the beliefs of the Rowena islands, and after hearing the reason for why they were the way they were, she didn’t want to do anything to disrespect their sincerity. The fact that they could overcome the greed for wealth and material things with the modernization of the world, it was a beautiful and rare thing hardly found in the world we live in today.

Mr Richard also seemed to notice Tristan’s strict professionalism, but he didn’t seem to mind it at all and just smiled, and nodded, “Very well then, you can go back and pack the things you need and then return to live at the old dwellings, once again, welcome to Rowena islands.”

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